Brewers sign Mark Reynolds

First base has been the Milwaukee Brewers biggest hole to fill this offseason, and after being unsuccessful to acquire numerous players, it appears the Brewers have finally found their guy. The Brewers and free agent Mark Reynolds have come to an agreement on a minor league deal, but from all indications, he should make the big league club coming out of Spring Training.

Reynolds, a seven-year MLB veteran, first broke into the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a third baseman in 2007, but in recent years he has spent the most of his time manning first base.

Only a career .233 hitter, Reynolds is best know for his ability to crush the ball while also striking out a ton. In 3,947 at-bats he has hit 202 homeruns and has strikeout 1,276 times. Over his career he has strikeout over 200 times in a season on three separate occasions, while also setting a MLB record in 2009 for 223 strikeouts.

Last season he played in 135 games splitting time between the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees batting .220 with 21 homeruns and 67 RBI’s.

Reynolds gives the Brewers a right-handed option at first base, while also possibly being a platoon partner for left-handed hitter Juan Francisco. He also provides the Brewers with depth behind starting third baseman Aramis Ramirez.

Although this is not a big name signing, with the first base market dwindling he is better than nothing. Reynolds may not be a great overall hitter and is poor defensively, but this is a low risk deal that will not affect the Brewers at all if it does not work out and they chose to cut ties with him.